SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (BVM) —  South Walton’s very own Barrett Waldrop will have to travel nearly 150-miles to his new home at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

The South Walton alum will be continuing his education along with his basketball career as a preferred walk-on for the Florida State Seminoles men’s basketball team.

Waldrop comes from a line of siblings who graduated from South Walton High School, continuing his family’s run of playing sports at the next level. Waldrop’s oldest brother Bishop, played football for Southeastern Louisiana and his middle sister Belle played volleyball at Troy University. 

Even with his siblings accomplishments, Barrett was able to stand out on the basketball court during his time as a Seahawk. In his senior year, he put up career high numbers averaging 22.6 points a game, while ranking fourth in 4A for shots made behind the arc with a career high 67. Eleven of those 3–pointers came in a 50-point game for Barrett against Arnold High School, both school records. He ended the season as the Northwest Florida Small School Player of the Year in 2021. 

In two seasons on varsity, Barrett averaged 18.6 points while accumulating a total of 1,114 career points during his time in high school. During his senior year in a game against Blountstown, he surpassed the 1,000–point mark for his career in a 61-40 win, putting up 21 points. Following his senior season at South Walton, Barrett participated in the Panhandle All-Star game where he racked up 43 points and brought home the MVP trophy. 

Now entering his opening year as a preferred walk-on at Florida State, Barrett has already made a great connection with his teammates and the city of Tallahassee.

“I have loved my time as a Seminole,” Barrett said. “I have a great relationship with all of my teammates. Even though it has been a few months, we are all like one big family. Playing at this high of a level is of course a big challenge, but having the great teammates that I do, everyday we are preparing ourselves day-in-and-out for the challenge of the season. Collectively as a team we are taking it head on.”

Before Barrett decided to walk–on for the Seminoles, the incoming freshman garnered interest from other programs around the nation following a career shooting percentage of 50% the field and 38% from behind the arc.

“I wanted to compete against the best in the country and that’s what you get everyday playing for the Seminoles and in the ACC,” Barrett said. “It is amazing getting to play with the guys that I do. It’s hard to not want to come to Tallahassee and push yourself.”

On top of the high level of play in the ACC, the freshman will also be getting some of the best coaching in the nation in three-time ACC coach of the year Leonard Hamilton and assistant coach Stan Jones.

“Going from high school to college is going to be a big jump,” Barrett said. “The knowledge both Coach Jones and Hamilton have about the game is remarkable. Having coaches with the experience they do is such a great tool to help players and have a successful program, it has been amazing to watch him and his staff work so far.”

When watching the Seminoles play this year, look out for Barrett who will be rocking the No. 34 his freshman year. 

“I picked the number because it was worn by my favorite player, Paul Pierce,”  Waldrop said of his connection to the number. “I love the way he played the game.”

Barrett and the Seminoles have big goals moving forward as Florida State kicks off its 2021-22 campaign. 

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